Thousands of antiwar protesters gathered in communities across the United States on Saturday to condemn Washington's terrorist attack on Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force Commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. RNA - In cities and towns across the United States, more than 80 demonstrations were planned to oppose the killing of General Soleimani, and the decision by the administration of President Donald Trump to send thousands more troops to the Middle East.
The rallies were spearheaded by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, an antiwar coalition, and Code Pink, a women-led antiwar organization.
More than 1,000 demonstrators in Washington gathered outside the White House, carrying “No War” signs. Others marched in New York City in Times Square, repeatedly chanting “US out of the Middle East”.
In Philadelphia, demonstrators outside City Hall carried signs demanding that the United States stay out of Iraq and avoid war with Iran. In San Francisco, an antiwar rally included chanting, singing and speakers. In downtown Chicago, hundreds of demonstrators stood outside Trump Tower, some with signs that read “Stop bombing Iraq”. Crowds also assembled in Albuquerque, Indianapolis, Memphis, Miami, St. Louis and Seattle.
Protests were initially planned in 10 to 15 cities and the number grew to 30 by Thursday. When the Iranian general was killed near the Baghdad airport early on Friday, the number of participating cities more than doubled. As of Saturday afternoon, more than 80 protests were organized.
Hours later, Trump claimed that the US military have identified 52 sites important to Iran and its culture which its ready to rain hellfire upon if Teheran targets US citizens or assets to avenge the killing of its top general.
Even as Washington warned Americans to leave Iraq after the airstrike that assassinated General Soleimani, another 3,000-3,500 US airborne troops will be deploying to Kuwait to join the 750 already there, according to reports. But, the deployment does not appear to be directly in response to the assassination of the head of the Qods Force.
The top Iranian commander, Deputy Commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), or Hashad al-Shabi, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and several others were martyred in a targeted assassination raid by US aircraft in Iraq.
The Pentagon has announced that Trump authorized the US military strike near Baghdad's airport which resulted in the martyrdom of General Soleimani.
Even as Washington warned Americans to leave Iraq after the airstrike that assassinated General Soleimani, another 3,000-3,500 US airborne troops will be deploying to Kuwait to join the 750 already there, according to reports. But, the deployment does not appear to be directly in response to the assassination of the head of the Qods Force.
Iranian officials branded the airstrike an “act of international terrorism” and promised retaliation. Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has stated that the Unites States must await a tough revenge.
Iran has time and again warned that it will not be the initiator of any war, but reserves the right to self defense and will give a crushing response to any act of aggression by the United States.
As the terror attack on General Soleimani has been interpreted even by many politicians and experts in the US as a declaration of war, Iran is expected to unleash the crushing second strike that it had long vowed to come after any US first strike.
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